How to Build a Tank for Tree Frogs

Purchase an aquarium and lid. Aquariums make suitable enclosures for tree frogs because they help maintain moisture and humidity levels, along with providing a high level of visibility for the owners. Tanks can be made of glass or of plexiglass or other translucent material. Tree frogs thrive in environments with lots of vertical space, rather than horizontal space. The aquarium you purchase should be a minimum of 2 feet in height to accommodate the needs of the frogs. Special metal mesh lids are manufactured specifically for reptiles and amphibians. These lids minimize escapes and allow for ventilation. Wipe both aquarium and lid down with a warm water rinse to remove any dust or dirt.

Select a substrate. Substrates are the substances used to fill the bottom layer of the tank. Common substrates include coconut husk fiber, orchid bark, or reptile carpeting. Coconut husk fiber makes an especially good choice for tree frogs, as there is little chance of ingestion and it retains moisture well. Reptile carpeting is easy to clean, but does not retain moisture and may be too abrasive on the tender skin of your frog. Orchid bark retains moisture well, but is sold in chips which may be mistakenly ingested by your frog. Choose the substrate that best fits your breed of tree frog. Fill your tank with 3 to 5 inches of substrate.

Place a wood feature in your tank. Wood features include branches, sticks or small cavelike carvings that your tree frog will use when it is on the bottom of the tank. This will help the frog feel more comfortable when feeding or drinking from the bottom area, as tree frogs prefer to stay close to hiding spots.

Place a water feature in your tank. Water features can be anything from a simple, shallow water or bathing dish to a more ornate waterfall or bubbling pond. Choose a feature that will fit best in your enclosure, and will not create a hazard for your frogs. Open access to water is essential, as frogs need plenty of water and humidity to stay healthy.

Add plants to your tank. You can add real or artificial plants to your tank, depending on your preference. Real plants can be more challenging to care for, while artificial require little maintenance. A tree frog tank should be heavily planted at every level. Foliage should reach from the top of the tank to the bottom with other plants interspersed at different heights throughout. Tree frogs typically move from branch to branch, so having plenty of foliage for them to hide and walk in is extremely important.

Place the temperature gauges. Temperature gauges can be thermometers or even heat-sensing stickers that can be mounted to the glass of the tank. Have these located both on the cool side of your tank and the warm side near the heat lamp. This will help you determine if the tank is staying at an appropriate temperature for your frogs.

Add food and water dishes to the tank. Food and water dishes should be placed on top of the substrate, near a hiding place or foliage. Food and water dishes should be shallow. Water dishes will need to be kept very clean, and food dishes may be used to keep food items such as mealworms from escaping into the substrate.